Let Us Worship! A Candle Lighting Liturgy: The Prophetic ...

1 Let Us Worship! A Candle Lighting Liturgy: The Prophetic Call and Response with African American Liturgical Music This "Let us Worship!" advent Liturgy was prepared by Eleanor Cooper Brown, Above and Beyond the Music Ministries. She is also author of "From Preparation to Passion"--Devotional and Reflective Meditations Celebrating the Lenten Season. For more information she can be reached at: All scripture quoted include: -Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. -Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. -Translations originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. "Let us Worship!" advent Liturgy compiled by Eleanor Cooper Brown.

2 The liturgies may be reproduced or adapted from this material for use for worship or church education. Design and original photography by Eleanor Cooper Brown. First Sunday of advent , Lectionary Year A Let Us Worship! A Candle Lighting Liturgy: The Prophetic Call with Psalmic Response Based on Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 Lighting Participants approach the advent wreath and invite Congregation to stand and sing. Music: Come and Go with Me to My Father's House* Prophecy (Reader): Hear as the Prophet Isaiah spoke: Many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob . (Congregation): Lord, let all the nations gather with us and say: I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Prophecy (Reader): The prophet still speaks: He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.

3 " The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Congregation): In your House Holy Father, let us each encourage one another today and always, as we come sharing in your blessings, to continually give thanks to the Name of the Lord. Prophecy (Reader): The Lord will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Congregation): LORD as we are all here together, let us Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love you prosper; may Peace be within our walls; may prosperity be with each of us. May your Peace be within us. Because of your House LORD, our God, we will seek your Good. (Congregation sits; Candle 1 is lit.) Prophecy Affirmation (Reader): We light this advent Candle today as we affirm the same Hope, Consolation, and Peace of whom Isaiah proclaimed.

4 Let all nations be glad and sing! Now and forevermore: Jesus is the Light of the world. Choral Response: Jesus, the Light of the World** Reader: Let us all pray: Merciful God, our God of Hope, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and to prepare the way for our salvation. We need Your grace LORD as we heed the words of the prophets. As we ve lit this first Candle today anticipating the coming of Jesus, the Christ, help us to walk in peaceful ways. Help us to walk in the Light of your Word, knowing now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Help us to be watchful Gracious LORD that we may be ready to greet with joy, the coming of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen. * African American Heritage Hymnal, #596 **Zion Still Sings For Every Generation, #62 Refrain (Compiled 2013-Eleanor Cooper Brown, Above and Beyond the Music Ministries) Second Sunday of advent , Lectionary Year A Let Us Worship!

5 A Candle Lighting Liturgy: The Prophetic Call with Psalmic Response Based on Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Lighting Participants approach the advent wreath and invite Congregation to stand and sing. Music: (Refrain) Soon and Very Soon* Prophecy (Reader): The Prophet Isaiah spoke: The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new King will arise from among David's descendants. The Spirit of the Lord will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. (Congregation): Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice, so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness. Prophecy (Reader): He will know the Lord's will and honor him, and find pleasure in obeying him. He will not judge by appearance or hearsay; He will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless.

6 (Congregation): We thank you LORD. May the king judge the poor fairly; may he help the needy and defeat their oppressors. May your people worship you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon gives light, for ages to come. Prophecy (Reader): He will rule his people with justice and integrity. Wolves and sheep will live together in A day is coming when the new king from the royal line of David will be a symbol to the nations. They will gather in his royal city and give him honor. (Congregation): We thank You Lord as: His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed. (Congregation seated; Candles 1 and 2 are lit.) Prophecy Affirmed (Reader): We light this Second advent Candle as a sign of the King who comes in Peace, and we affirm today what the Prophet says A day is coming when the new king from the royal line of David will be a symbol to the nations.

7 They will gather in his royal city and give him honor. Come thou Almighty King, may your peace rule in every heart! Choral Response: Jesus, Name Above All Names **. (Segue**) All Hail the Power of Jesus Name! (1st stanza) Reader: Let us all pray: O Lord God, Heavenly King, we lift up our hearts to You this day, giving You thanks as You have visited and redeemed Your people. We thank You that You have raised up a mighty salvation for us in the house of your servant David. As we anticipate the coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we thank You LORD for continuing to do great and wondrous things for us; for your strong arm of justice, righteousness, protection and deliverance. We thank you for your promise of everlasting peace. We bless Your glorious name forever; may Your glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen. * Songs of Zion, (Abingdon Press) #198 Refrain **Zion Still Sings For Every Generation, #27 **African American Hymnal #292 Coronation (Compiled 2013-Eleanor Cooper Brown, Above and Beyond the Music Ministries) Third Sunday of advent , Lectionary Year A Based on Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:47-55 A Candle Lighting Liturgy: The Prophetic Call with Lukan Response Lighting Participants approach the advent wreath and invite Congregation to stand and sing.

8 Music: Behold Your God* Prophecy (Reader): Hear Isaiah the Prophet speaking: Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you." (Congregation): The Virgin, Mary ponders all these things and responds: My soul does magnify the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior .. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. Prophecy (Reader): Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. (Congregation): Mary obediently says Lord! Let it be according to your word. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His name.

9 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. Prophecy (Reader): The Prophet speaks through time to the generations to come saying: Those [that] the LORD has saved will return to their land. They will sing as they enter the city of Zion. Joy that lasts forever will be like beautiful crowns on their heads. They will be filled with gladness and joy. (Congregation): And for us and all the generations to come, today we echo Mary s expressions of joy and praise unto God: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Moreover, I'm bursting with GOD-news; I m dancing the song of my Savior God. Glory to God! (Congregation seated; Light Candles 1, 2, and 3.) Prophecy Affirmed (Reader): We light this third Candle today symbolizing the Joy of the Lord that is ours. We affirm with the Prophet that our God will come to all waiting in darkness; the ransomed of the Lord will see the Glory of the Lord, and come to Zion singing with everlasting joy!

10 Choral Response: Joy, Joy (chorus)** Reader: Let us all pray: Gracious God, King of Heaven, we await the coming of Your Incarnate Word. As we wait during this season, equip us O Lord to walk in the way of holiness. Deliver us from the wildernesses and dry places of fear and worldliness, so that we may rejoice in the great things you have done! Supply us O Lord with the joy that the world can never know or take away from us. Grant to us much joy and gladness as we sing and shout now and eternally: Glory to God in the Highest! To You be all glory and dominion forever, Amen. *Total Praise Hymnal #186 **Joy, Joy recorded by Georgia Mass Choir/Kirk Franklin Scriptures taken from the NKJV, New International Version, and The Message (Compiled 2013-Eleanor Cooper Brown, Above and Beyond the Music Ministries) Fourth Sunday of advent , Lectionary Year A Let Us Worship!